In the new millennium, what secrets lay beyond the far reaches of the universe? What mysteries belie the truths we once held to be self evident? The world of science fiction has long been a porthole into the realities of tomorrow blurring the line between life and art. Now, in The Year’s Best Science Fiction Twenty-Fifth Annual Collection the very best SF authors explore ideas of a new world.

This venerable collection brings together award winning authors and masters of the field such as Robert Reed, Ian McDonald, Stephen Baxter, Michael Swanwick, Paolo Bacigalupi, Kage Baker, Walter Jon Williams, Alastair Reynolds, and Charles Stross . And with an extensive recommended reading guide and a summation of the year in science fiction, this annual compilation has become the definitive must read anthology for all science fiction fans and readers interested in breaking into the genre.

Contents

xiii • Summation: 2007 • essay by Gardner Dozois

1 • Finisterra • (2007) • novelette by David Moles

26 • Lighting Out • (2007) • shortstory by Ken MacLeod

41 • An Ocean Is a Snowflake, Four Billion Miles Away • (2007) • novelette by John Barnes

62 • Saving Tiamaat • (2007) • shortstory by Gwyneth Jones

76 • Of Late I Dreamt of Venus • (2007) • shortfiction by James Van Pelt

90 • Verthandi's Ring • (2007) • shortstory by Ian McDonald

101 • Sea Change • (2007) • shortstory by Una McCormack

110 • The Sky Is Large and the Earth Is Small • [Celestial Empire] • (2007) • novelette by Chris Roberson

130 • Glory • (2007) • novelette by Greg Egan

150 • Against the Current • (2007) • shortstory by Robert Silverberg

164 • Alien Archeology • [Polity Universe] • (2007) • novella by Neal Asher (aka Alien Archaeology)

202 • The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate • (2007) • novelette by Ted Chiang

221 • Beyond the Wall • (2007) • shortfiction by Justin Stanchfield

237 • Kiosk • (2007) • novelette by Bruce Sterling

270 • Last Contact • (2007) • shortstory by Stephen Baxter

280 • The Sledge-Maker's Daughter • (2007) • shortstory by Alastair Reynolds

297 • Sanjeev and Robotwallah • [India 2047] • (2007) • shortstory by Ian McDonald

309 • The Skysailor's Tale • (2007) • novelette by Michael Swanwick

332 • Of Love and Other Monsters • (2007) • novella by Vandana Singh

367 • Steve Fever • (2007) • shortstory by Greg Egan

379 • Hellfire at Twilight • [Company] • (2007) • novelette by Kage Baker

411 • The Immortals of Atlantis • (2007) • shortstory by Brian Stableford

420 • Nothing Personal • (2007) • novella by Pat Cadigan

452 • Tideline • (2007) • shortstory by Elizabeth Bear

461 • The Accord • (2007) • novelette by Keith Brooke

480 • Laws of Survival • (2007) • novelette by Nancy Kress

505 • The Mists of Time • (2007) • novelette by Tom Purdom

533 • Craters • (2007) • shortstory by Kristine Kathryn Rusch

548 • The Prophet of Flores • (2007) • novelette by Ted Kosmatka

570 • Stray • (2007) • shortstory by David Ackert and Benjamin Rosenbaum

579 • Roxie • (2007) • shortstory by Robert Reed

595 • Dark Heaven • (2007) • novella by Gregory Benford

643 • Honorable Mentions: 2007 • essay by Gardner Dozois